Well, start your list, lol....

Boy, I do envy you the good succulent growing climate, Sheryl. I love those things! If I was moving there, I'd really look forward to that!

Yeah, although it really is much different than what you were used to, Tee. Lots of things do great, but if they came from an area with any kind of humidity, they're probably going to fry there. California, or at least a large part of it, is probably the best environment - I saw things in the ground there that wouldn't make it more than a week in Phoenix.

Too bad I just killed that Aeonium..... shoot! But my new Adeniums are gonna be really happy with this move.

Sheryl, I'm not sure if I shared this with you or not, but Grant Meyer has a great article on Aeoniums, and their care in metro Phoenix. You can find it here. This is my first year to grow them. I'm very scared, because I have some beautiful ones that are doing terrific right now. It is summer that scares me most on keeping them alive and thriving.

http://www.phoenixtropicals.co...

Yes, different from CA (I was also in the High Desert for a few years there) but still doable ... and the cacti when in bloom are sensational. The rose that is thought to be one of the largest in the world is there. It's a white Lady Banks' Rose (Rosa banksiae) in Tombstone. And there's citrus fruit for tubs and pots. And I love Opuntias ... Prickly Pear jelly and the tunas.

I have confidence in you that you'll figure it out. Still, moving across country isn't all that much fun these days (I know this from recent experience) ... especially when you've already planted as much as you have here. Sigh.

We are actually in the lower deserts here, so even hotter than the higher deserts by about 10 degrees in summer... ;) Of course as you know, once it reaches 100+, it all feels the same, nasty.

I have been to Tombstone many times, and saw the worlds largest rose tree, being the rose fanatic that I am. I just love Tombstone. All the locals down there are so friendly, and I always have a great time when I got down to visit them. I almost bought a bed and breakfast down there, the only Victorian home left in downtown tombstone, that was not destroyed when the town caught on fire. I'm not sure if you'll remember it, it was called Pricilla's bed and breakfast, a grand old five bedroom lady, with a private owners quarters, separate from the B&B. Was perfect. Long story short, she was asking more than it's worth, had no proof of how much she was making a year, and I was not willing to give her what she was asking without any proof of income. I heard 2 years later, she sold it for what I was willing to pay her for it. Oh well, life goes on. So love it down there. I may retire down there.

Indeed. When we used to come back from the Oregon coast in the middle of summer and hit the northern part of CA and the Sacramento Valley at 112º-117º we always consoled ourselves by saying, "But it's dry heat". The fact we were coming from the coast really made it miserable until we got adjusted again.

Well, shucks on the B&B but who knows what else may come up.

Hi Alan, maybe come summer, try to position your Aeonium arboreum in part sun-part shade area. The heat described by Tee is exactly what we get here in our place during summertime. Now that I think about it, my aeoniums survive because they get good shade to dappled light coming from the city trees on the west side when the afternoon heat arrives. And since my garden is on the west side it gets gradual heat build-up. Mostly the ones by the fence gets morning sun then gradually moving towards the other side. I just make it a point to give the succulents a good thorough dousing once or twice a week especially when it just goes beyond 90F and I always do it early in the morning. I know my plants dry up so easily since they are all in containers and most of them in terracotta pots.

I also have an outdoor fountain which I keep running, for some humidity for the plants around it and for the birds & cats that do drop by for a drink.

Thanks, Alan - you did share Grant's article somewhere, I read it. I think my Aeonium here just got too battered by the puppy ... which reminds me, I have to change my avatar.

Tee, thanks for the vote of confidence! Everything will be fine, I'm just feeling extra whiny right now. Ignore me and I'll stop, I promise.

Funny, Alan - I forgot you were the big rose person. In one ear....

... and the really good Mexican food.

Well, everybody is allowed a little whining. But here ya go ...

Mmm - good idea!!!

Happy March to all!

Hey Stush! I got your package today! Yipppeee!

Did I match the cutting correctly to your printout?


And this one will be the crinium lily right?


Mailing out the shipping payment to you tomorrow! Again many thanks!

I got a package too

Waaahhh!!!

Hi Mark. I might have some things to trade with you. I don't have any opuntia however.

You're right on your names, tarev (in case Stush doesn't get back here any time soon). He sent me those plants as well and I'm very appreciative too.

Oh thanks Tee! I was just making sure, so I can plant the Stapelia on a corner way out there hehehe...I told my husband about the scent of the flower when it comes and he was not too happy about it Now got to browse a little more on its growing needs...not sure if it would like to go outdoors now ..it is very chilly...

You have to be really close to it to smell it. I have several Stapelia, mind you they are not on my patio table, but they are in hanging baskets along the eaves my house. I never smell them when they are in bloom, unless I get right underneath them and take a big whiff!!

Maybe we should send a clothespin for the nose along with our Stapelia cuttings.

I have another NOID Stapelia that has grown very quickly from small cuttings. I love them (well, maybe not always the "fragrance"). In fact, my other Stapelia is putting out a lot of new growth right now.

My favorite is the lifesaver Stapelia